If there is one obvious area that the Atlanta Braves could improve after the first two weeks of the 2026 season, it is outfield depth.
This doesn't come as a great surprise after Jurickson Profar's suspension pushed Mike Yastrzemski into the starting lineup and left Eli White as the fourth option. However, Atlanta fans paying attention to the rest of the league can't help but notice the Boston Red Sox's 2-7 start and begin to wonder if this could open the door to a trade to solve Atlanta's current problem.
While a trade this early in the season isn't incredibly likely, it isn't impossible with the Braves already striking a deal with the Angels. Looking at Boston's roster, its surplus of outfielders remains clear with Jarren Duran emerging as the potential perfect Atlanta addition.
Braves Must Monitor Jarren Duran's Availability
Duran offers solid speed and would be a great final piece to help bolster the Braves' outfield depth.
After all, any magic surrounding Eli White seems to have run out. The veteran outfielder is 1-of-11 (.091)to start the season despite being platooned and only starting against what are deemed favorable matchups. White simply no longer looks the part of a viable outfield option, which is why the Braves could be interested in nabbing a potential upgrade from the Red Sox.
Duran remains a logical fit for Atlanta even if the franchise opts to wait deeper into the 2026 season to pull the trigger on the move. The Red Sox have every reason to deal a veteran who doesn't fit the current timeline of their core and has often been a rumored trade candidate over the last year.
Duran is off to a quiet start this season, making it easy to see why a change in scenery could be beneficial. The former All-Star MVP is only slashing .200/.314/.267 with four RBIs, four walks, and 10 strikeouts across 35 plate appearances. Nevertheless, he's only two years removed from finishing eighth in the American League MVP race, and owns the second-most doubles (91) and triples (27) in the Majors since the start of 2024.
Throw in the fact that he's under team control through 2028, and it's easier than ever to see why the Red Sox's free-fall and Duran's potential availability should have the Braves' interest. That's especially true after Atlanta's 0-7 start to the 2025 season, as the front office knows the type of hole Boston is trying to climb out of.
The Red Sox appeared doomed to follow suit, leaving the door open for this trade to happen at some point in the 2026 season. The Braves would be wise to capitalize on their misery, as a potential Duran trade could be the missing ingredient behind a potential World Series run.